A bit of news crept across my email that, for a moment, had me all kinds of shook.
“Friedland Properties Sues Zabar Family to Force Sale of Upper West Side Property,” read the scary headline from Commercial Observer.
I immediately though the worst and made all kinds of internal arguments about how “we” were going to save Zabar’s. Never mind who “we” might be. The point is that it was all an overreaction. The article clearly points out that the Upper West Side institution is not the property involved in the lawsuit. Phew!
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According to the complaint filed on June 28, plaintiffs 2231 Associates LLC and Gem 2231, LLC each own a 25% tenant in common stake in 2231 Broadway. ZKZ 2231 LLC holds the remaining 50%. The lawsuit is verified by Eric Friedland and William Friedland of Friedland Properties, a family-owned real estate company and the 25/25 plaintiff. Commercial Observer reported that the 50% stakeholder LLC is owned by the Zabar family.
2231 Broadway (Google Maps)
The building in question, 2231 Broadway — located on the corner of 80th Street right across the street from the famous Zabar’s store — is a five-story, multifamily structure that the Friedlands and Zabars intended to develop together after entering into an agreement last December.
The Friedlands claim that the building is primed for redevelopment to maximize its value. However, the Zabar’s LLC has allegedly refused to engage in any meaningful discussion.
Friedland argues that this refusal is “commercially unreasonable,” that “joint ownership of the Property between the parties is no longer desirable or workable,” and that the 50% owner should be forced to sell its share.
The suit also seeks for the Zabar’s group to account for “all income, profits, and expenditures with respect to the Property and that the Court adjust the rights of the parties so each receives its proper portion of the Property’s profits.”
Neither Friedland nor Zabar’s could be immediately reached for comment.
Back in 1912, and for the rest of that decade, this same building, going by 2237-2239 Broadway (the current Verizon store address is 2239) was the location of the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts, now known as Parsons School of Design.
Addendum: The school occupied 2239 Broadway until 1939.
You mean the old H&H Bagels place?
Corporations make contracts and expect everyone to live by them but they don’t have to. Just like Trump Friedland wants to bully the Zabar’s so that Friedland can not just make millions but hundreds of millions and destroy antöne beautiful building.
Contracts should be honored. Zabar’s should win but we know what NY is like so I won’t hold my breath.
Decades ago, Saul Zabar made a promise to the community that he would not develop any of his properties, which include the building in which Barnes & Noble’s sits, the site of the DSW store on 79th/Bway, and others.
The Zabar’s had the same arrangement with Friedland on the old Circuit City property (SE corner of 80th/Bway). Zabars refused to allow development there until the building was wrested from them. And sure enough, it was developed immediately< giving us yet another sad building with commercial space that will likely never be rented (and only added to the already growing number of empty storefronts).
A few year ago, I had a conversation with Saul in which he told me that he had been offered an enormous amount for the DSW site. He turned it down. He does not want the neighborhood to end up with supertall buildings (the DSW could currently yield an as-of-right building over 50 stories tall! Add air rights, setback, etc. and we would be looking at a building of 50-75 stories!!!).
The Zabars are "good guys" who care about the neighborhood that they live in and serve. The Friedlands are a bunch of greedy landlords who only see dollar signs, and don't gave a s— about the UWS. I hope like hell that the Zabars' prevail here.
Thank you Ian, for letting us know the back story to this .
When one rides up or down along Broadway, the blight of empty storefronts deprives our neighborhood of so many essential shops that used to give our neighborhood vibrancy. One cannot help but notice how so many of them have ‘Friedland’ as the property company to call for inquiry.
I hope the City Council can change the laws, and that would then force owners to after a year of being unrented, lower the outrageous leasing amounts.
Most folks have no idea how high commercial street level rents are.
Washington Heights is chock a block with businesses that support that neighborhood with goods & services, and local jobs like we used to have.
I’m grateful that Saul has committed to not build on the sites the family owns!
Long live the Zabar’s and may their children continue that family tradition.
Bring back the mom & dad affordable rentals! I need a card shop, a notions shop, a crafting & art supply shop.
Where does one buy safety pins or elastic?!
Thanks again Ian
Stephanie:
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, commercial rents are ridiculous, and have been for quite some time – it is one of the three major factors that began the loss of “mom and pop” stores, the rise of “big box” stores, and the slide into landscape of empty storefronts: greedy landlords, holding out for the “big bucks.”
The City Council has rejected commercial rent control over and over. Not sure why, but maybe there can be some movement now that things are at crisis level. I know that Gale Brewer has been trying to get commercial rent control passed for decades.
As for “card shop, notions shop…,” I was particularly sad when Papyrus was forced out (one of the “good” chain stores), since they were a community-supporter as well. Now all we have (pretty much) is banks, “big box” stores (CVS, DuaneGreed, etc.), telecomm outlets (Spectrum, T-Mobile, etc.), nail salons/spas, and a handful of local businesses (laundromats/dry cleaners, etc.). I have been encouraged that Barnes & Noble’s has held on (so much for e-books “killing” real books), that we still have the occasional shoe repair, eyeglass, and other “small” shops, and that some new shops (and restaurants) have been opening. I never thought I would “cheer” for the opening of a Playa Bowl (I would never eat there), but at least it eliminates one empty storefront. I am also excited by the planned opening of Panera at the old Victorias Secret site on 85th. Maybe things really are turning around – slowly, to be sure, but turning around nonetheless.
Safety pins and elastic used to be found at “sundries” shops, all of which are long gone. Try Michael’s for those.
Peace.
Michael’s gone too. Burlington replacing them.
Hi Ian,
I haven’t been in NYC for many years, but have continued to be a lover of Zabars I always wondered if there were apartments upstairs from the store in that wonderful old building? I was searching for that info on Google when I ran across this story. So glad to hear of good people prevailing and loving the history of the city.????
Cindy:
As far as I know, there are no apartments in that building. The 2nd floor is merchandise, and I think the third (and fourth?) floors are storage.
🙂
Stephanie:
Stationery and Toy on W.72.
Tara
tarastutoringnyc.com